MNYO condemns the alleged CoBRA attack on Naga Village Guards in Noney, demands an independent probe, justice for slain civilians, and action against militant groups.
DIMAPUR — The Manipur Naga Youth Organisation (MNYO) has strongly condemned the alleged attack by the Central Reserve Police Force's (CRPF) CoBRA unit on members of the Naga Village Guard (NVG) at Bitiang (Laphok) village in Noney district, claiming that one NVG member was killed and several others were injured.
In a statement, the organisation alleged that the operation resulted in the death of Lanbimei Riamei (22), an NVG member, while several Naga village volunteers sustained critical injuries.
It described the incident as an unprovoked assault and demanded an independent investigation.
The MNYO linked the incident to the unresolved killing of six Naga civilians who were abducted on May 13 and whose bodies were recovered weeks later. The organisation said the Naga community continues to await justice, alleging that the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has failed to identify and prosecute those responsible despite more than two months having passed since the incident. It also referred to the killing of three Thadou church leaders on the same day.
According to the MNYO, CoBRA personnel had surrounded Bitiang village on July 28 before launching an operation the following morning, July 29, when members of the Naga Village Guard were allegedly having breakfast. The organisation termed the operation "premeditated" and questioned why local civil and police authorities were not involved.
The organisation further alleged that the operation violated established procedures and criticised the Noney district police administration, including the Superintendent of Police and the Sub-Divisional Police Officer, for allegedly failing to conduct a proper inquiry into the incident.
It also claimed that the operation was carried out despite no emergency having been declared in Manipur.
The MNYO questioned the state government's handling of the security situation and alleged that enforcement measures were being directed primarily against Naga Village Guards while no comparable action had been taken against armed Kuki militant groups. It accused the government of failing to uphold the rule of law and called on Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh to ensure accountability of security agencies.
The organisation also demanded the immediate removal of Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen, alleging a conflict of interest because of her marital relationship with an individual it identified as a leader of a Kuki militant group under the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement.
It further alleged that security agencies had failed to curb the activities of armed Kuki groups, including the reported blockade of National Highway-202.
Among its key demands, the MNYO called for the immediate withdrawal of CoBRA personnel from Bitiang and surrounding Naga areas, speedy prosecution of those responsible for the May 13 killings, and government action to remove blockades on NH-202.
The organisation also urged the Union Ministry of Home Affairs to revoke the Suspension of Operations agreements with Kuki militant groups and designate organisations including the KNF (P), KRA, KLA/UKLA, KRF and KNF (N) as terrorist organisations.
It alleged that these groups were responsible for the killing of six Naga civilians and argued that they should be treated on the same footing as other proscribed militant organisations.
Referring to the Centre's "Operation Sindoor" launched against Pakistan-based terror camps following the 2025 Pahalgam attack, the MNYO contended that the killing of the six Naga civilians warranted an equally strong response from the Government of India.
It appealed to the Union Home Ministry and other concerned authorities to take immediate action against those responsible and ensure justice for the victims.